Roman situla

Roman situla
ITEM: Situla
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 2nd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 110 mm x 115 mm
CONDITION: Good condition. Includes stand
PROVENANCE: Ex Emeritus collection (USA), collected from the 1950’s to the 1980’s by a distinguished university professor who served as Department head, Dean and Vice President of a major university.

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

The Roman situla in bronze is a type of bucket-shaped vessel that played a versatile role in Roman daily life, religious rituals, and funerary practices. Often made from bronze, a highly durable and decorative material, these vessels typically featured a rounded body with a handle for easy transport. Situlae could serve practical purposes, such as carrying water or wine, but they were also used in more symbolic and ceremonial contexts. Their craftsmanship and decoration varied according to their intended use, with more elaborate examples reserved for religious offerings, rituals, or burial rites, where they might have been used to hold libations or offerings for the dead.

The bronze situla was frequently adorned with intricate designs, including reliefs, figures, and decorative motifs that reflected Roman artistic and cultural values. Common themes depicted on these vessels included mythological scenes, religious symbols, or images of animals and plants. The detailed craftsmanship of the bronze situlae highlights the skill of Roman metalworkers, who used techniques like casting, engraving, and embossing to create both functional and decorative items. These objects were highly valued not only for their practical use but also for their artistic and symbolic significance, especially when used in temples or placed in tombs as grave goods.

In a broader cultural sense, Roman situlae in bronze exemplify the Roman blending of utility and aesthetics. These vessels were practical in everyday activities, such as bathing or household chores, yet they also served as important symbols of status and piety in religious and funerary contexts. The discovery of bronze situlae in archaeological sites across the Roman Empire, from Italy to provinces like Gaul and Britain, underscores their widespread use and the cultural exchange that defined Roman material culture.

Measurement:

11.5 x 11 cm